cant beat this yeast infection!

[Flur]

I researched about yeast infections recently and found a really old thread on this site where one person said don't wash down there ... ever (I don't get that, but I guess it's supposed to be okay!) and another person said to use baby soap, which is super gentle. That's what I've been doing lately.

A mild face soap works well too.

[shootingstar]

Let's put it this way...had some infection probably due to cycling for several hrs. in the rain on our way to Seattle.

Enough that I really couldn't join mimi for a bike ride. So cured myself by a visit to Seattle drugstore...

[Miranda]

Another +1 for the Difluken pill...

Who ever invented the notion of stuffing more yucky stuff near your already yeasty yucky you know what as a cure was insaine.

When I saw my gyno once for my saddle issues he told me there is also this external yeast that ladies can get in the summer months. It can be quickly cured with some sort of rx topical cream. The doc just needs to see it to properly dx.

I'm with the rest of the girls on the don't mess with nature. I think I'm about a 3 pair of panties a day changing gal, nightie w/no bottoms, no soap stuffs there--just plain water, no scented/deorderant pads/tampons, etc.

Hope you find a permanent solution.

[smurfalicious]

I would really, really, really avoid Diflucan or OTC creams if you can. Relying on those basically create super yeast that will only become resistant.

Here's a great resource on cures from outside the icky cream/anti-fungal pill realm: https://www.msu.edu/~eisthen/yeast/yourself.html

[BethG]

I had to take a serious round of antibiotics at the beginning of the summer which resulted in a nasty yeast infection. I thought I fought it off homeopathically--garlic, yogurt, etc--but....it seem to come flaring back everytime I do a long ride! I am hitting between 75 and 100 miles just about every weekend so this is a real bummer.

I think if you've tried the "natural"/do-it-yourself/homeopathic remedies, and the infection keeps recurring, it's time to try a prescription or over-the-counter remedy. (and really, is that any messier than self-treating with yogurt?)

Change/shower as soon as possible after riding, wash your shorts (and your other skivvies) in hot water, and treat the infection.

If you're still having problems, it's probably time to talk to your gyn.

[eofelis]

I used to have bad, ongoing YI/BV problems. They did not seem to be bike-riding related.

I went through a few rounds of heavy-duty meds, even Diflucan. They didn't clear it all up. I also did some home remedies at the same time.

The remedy that I think helped me the most was the vinegar bath. I also put a few squirts of povidine-iodone solution in (antimicrobial). When mine was really bad I'd do the bath 2x day. Take a book, sit for 1/2 hr until water cools off.

I've been infection-free for a couple of years now. I also take Azo Yeast tablets as a preventative.

I am a bit particular about the chamois in my riding shorts. If it is too thick or stiff I find it irritating. I cannot wear PI shorts. My faves are older Hind and Insport shorts, they have very thin padding. I also like Blackbottoms shorts.

Do web search for making boric acid tabs also.

[eofelis]

So my favorite yeast infection cure is boric acid. Also good for killing ants! It sounds crazy but my friend who is a homeopathic superwoman recommended it. I go about using it one of two ways. I have empty gel caps I got at an herb shop and I'll fill a few and put them in. The other option that is uber soothing is to buy a vinegar douche and empty it out. I figure the vinegar is the least awful substance to have first been in the bottle. Then I dump a bit of boric acid in the bottom so it's maybe 1/4 deep and fill it with cool water. It dissolves better in hot but we don't want that. Shake the daylights out of it and use!

Yeah, what she said about the gel caps.....^^^^^

[chicago]

I'm a diflucan girl myself. I'm prone to these infections so my GYN will often prescribe over the phone. One quick pill and a week of eating yogurt every day does the trick.

To avoid them - sleep naked, no undies, not even cotton. Avoid any products for the nether regions that contain antibiotics, even antibiotic soap (use a mild regular soap), and don't ever use A&D ointment or anything like it as a lube or chamois cream. Change your undies/shorts right after you're done exercising in them, and shower right away if you can. Only use soap once a day in the area - if you shower more than once just rinse with water. And eat lots of yogurt. One a day to keep the doctor away (forget about apples, LOL!) Oh, and I just learned that you should avoid lubes that have any glucose/glucogen in them, as the sugar feeds the yeast.

If you are on a birth control pill, you might want to see if there is a low dose version available. This can make a difference too.

BTW - Fear of the yeasties is what has kept me from wearing cycling shorts with chamois. I'm convinced that it's an insulated breeding ground for yeast, especially since some have antibacterial properties. I wear unpadded wicking shorts and wicking underwear (Patagonia briefs) and haven't had any issues.

in addition to all this "cleansing"... if you are having sex, be sure to wipe yourself with a warm rag afterwards.... even with the smallest about of sex. you would be surpised at the amount of bacteria that results from sex (and sweat). wipe your private's nice and clean each time and this will rid of any bacteria wanting to multiply into sometype of infection. i never go to bed without cleaning up a bit if i had sex, LOL!! i was having some problems with this a while back... maybe it was the condoms i don't know... but i had to visit my doctor like 3x in 3 months and she told me to make sure to wipe after every encounter... and haven't had a problem since. guess all that friction, sweat, etc, etc... was causing some trouble, LOL! sorry TMI... but seriously, it has helped me alot.

[WindingRoad]

Diflucan rocks but another homeopathic remedy you can use is Tea Tree Oil. You mix about a tablespoon in about a gallon of lukewarm water and use this in a douche bag. This should do the trick if it really is yeast. If this keeps up you definately need to be sure its not a bacterial infection because they feel the same sometimes (from experience).

[chicago]

I might add... I personally would not try anything without visiting a doc. Sometimes all this over the counter stuff just makes things worse. Your doc will know what to do... hopefully you will get to see her/him soon

[Flur]

in addition to all this "cleansing"... if you are having sex, be sure to wipe yourself with a warm rag afterwards.... even with the smallest about of sex. you would be surpised at the amount of bacteria that results from sex (and sweat). wipe your private's nice and clean each time and this will rid of any bacteria wanting to multiply into sometype of infection. i never go to bed without cleaning up a bit if i had sex, LOL!! i was having some problems with this a while back... maybe it was the condoms i don't know... but i had to visit my doctor like 3x in 3 months and she told me to make sure to wipe after every encounter... and haven't had a problem since. guess all that friction, sweat, etc, etc... was causing some trouble, LOL! sorry TMI... but seriously, it has helped me alot.

Make sure you pee after too. That keeps away urinary tract infections, which require antibiotics to get rid of, and the antibiotics can give you the yeasties! What a vicious cycle!

[NbyNW]

A few years ago the I decided that something about the pill was making me susceptible to yeast infections. I would do my Monistat or Miconazole treatmeents, be clear for a few days, then have my period, and within 2-3 days of starting a new pill pack the infection would be back.

So I decided to go off the pill. The infections stopped. And I didn't have to disinfect my underwear or anything. It had something to do with my body chemistry.

For birth control/family planning, a friend tipped me off to this:
http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-...0588334&sr=8-1

which describes a method that works for most women to know when you are fertile or not. It's not for everyone, but it's worked for us so far.

[chicago]

A few years ago the I decided that something about the pill was making me susceptible to yeast infections. I would do my Monistat or Miconazole treatmeents, be clear for a few days, then have my period, and within 2-3 days of starting a new pill pack the infection would be back.

So I decided to go off the pill. The infections stopped. And I didn't have to disinfect my underwear or anything. It had something to do with my body chemistry.

For birth control/family planning, a friend tipped me off to this:
http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-...0588334&sr=8-1

which describes a method that works for most women to know when you are fertile or not. It's not for everyone, but it's worked for us so far.

when I go on bike trips for the weekend or longer, I definitely take those Monistat wipes with me. They are good to have and keep around. I also carry that tiny tube of Monistat as well... just in case I feel a tiny bit of itching coming on. I tried to "nuke" it as quickly as I feel it. arrgggh... what we women must endure!

[windrider]

The previous poster was right on about making SURE it is yeast. Bacterial infections can give the same symptoms, and the cure is very different.

It may be you are getting more abrasion with your new bike setup, but if you don't have hot spots (no pun intended) during a ride, I doubt that is the problem.

I was having lots of problems with itching or burning spots and started using Assos chamois cream before every ride. Just apply sparingly to your crotch (vulva), not the chamois. Keeps the chamois from growing germs while it is drying/sitting around and protects your skin until you can get in a shower. And yes, change out of your shorts right away, although after starting to use the Assos, I haven't even had a problem with leaving the shorts on for the drive home.

Skip the topical home remedies, even natural stuff can get your flora out of balance. Oral acidophilus is good if you do take the oral diflucan, but nothing on your privates.

To clarify, do not use the Assos cream on the mucous membranes, just the skin.

And one more thing - the last (looong) round I had with infections, it turned out that my husband's saliva was irritating and causing an imbalance in the pH or something. Hate to give it up, but constant infections don't help your sex life either. So I second the rinsing or clean damp washcloth after sex. Just make sure you wash the cloth with bleach or very HOT water.